I pray that God will grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of the people I killed because they were annoying.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

It's amazing that I couldn't put the book down and literally glued to it since the odd page of numero uno.

Started reading the book on Monday and am now half way through it. Gosh. I have got to slow down.

I am a picky reader and have set, sometimes insane standard of excellent reading material. I know that taste is a very tricky substance, so please don't take my words as your gauge in determining a good read. We are after all, of different moulds and preferences.

Now back to the book. I'm not a very good narrator, so bear with me, if you please.

I am impressed with the character Anna who's torn between keeping her sister alive, submitting to her parents' wishes and sticking up for herself. I am awed at how she could think of what she wanted for herself and how she's struggling to balance hope and dissapointment.

I don't even know if I could feel such combo of emotions at the age of 13. Let alone doing what she did. Amazing, amazing character indeed.

I am looking forward to finishing the book by Saturday.

Am hoping to get and start reading Handle with Care this weekend.

Oh, by the way, My Sister's Keeper will hit the theaters in UK and US on June 26th. Hope it screens in KL soon!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Have been so since last week. I don’t think it’s the infamous Swine Flu coz I don’t bear all the symptoms. If I do, I will definitely raise an alert. -wink-

Have a couple of docs to do but I’m just not in the mood.

I’m in the mood to just put my feet up and read Angels & Demons. Thought I should read the book before watching the movie. Have no idea when I’ll be able to finish it – it’s one darn thick book!

I was actually looking for the illustrated version but am not sure if there’s any. I had the illustrated version of Da Vinci Code and it helped a lot in understanding the story better. I remembered suffering major pain – head, for the information overload and hand, for holding on to the heavy book for too long. It’s worth the pain because it’s one of my all-time favorite. The book seldom sits on the shelves – it’s always somewhere in my bedroom, waiting to be read or skimmed through.

As any other adaptation, most of the time the movie will not be as good as the book but that’s not the whole point.

Da Vinci Code is a film I’ve watched over and over and never get tired of drinking in the details and the rush of discovering hidden truth. I am hoping Angels & Demons would be as interesting. I am only on the 65th page and I’m already anxious to discover the twist and turns. I can't wait to see how the movie would turn out.

By the way, adik was very upset to discover that I didn’t buy him a book he picked up (and later, set on the shelves) at the bookshop yesterday. He came to my room earlier this morning looking for it and was close to tears when he learned about the incident. I was too busy looking for Angels & Demons that I forgot to check with him about getting the book. Kakak and him picked up 2 more books from their favorite series and I seriously thought he’s not interested in the first book anymore.

Poor baby. I plan to make it up to him. Soon.

It’s always a dilemma – how do you instill reading interest when all the books are so darn expensive? My kids love to read but books from their favorite lines costs $14 a piece. They’d normally go for a book each but when they find titles they have yet to own, it’s like finding treasure while digging sand on the beach. The excitement, the thrill and the mounting hopes are simply priceless.

Let’s not forget that the parents are avid readers too. Each time we set foot into a bookstore, each one of us would at least get a book or magazine. It’s either the kids or the parents – someone needs to practice self restrain. Can it be the kids? Can it, please? Heheh.

I have just redeemed $20 from MPH last month. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be getting more cash vouchers soon!

Maybe we should have a bookshop of our own and read the books ourselves. Sigh.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just lay back and read? Maybe near a beach or somewhere peaceful.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

There were 2 trucks and there was my car, wedged in between. There was not much space between all 3 vehicles and I thought I’d feel much better if I could get away from the little domino. I was a bit hesitant at first, fearing that I might hit the truck in front of me but annoyed at the same time by the unnecessary mess.

I didn’t know what happened but as I was overtaking the truck, I was hit by the truck behind me. The crash sent my car spinning away and I remembered feeling numb followed by indescribable pain down my legs. The last thing I remembered was a pair of hands pulling me out of the car to safety before my car exploded.

The next thing I know, I was lying on the hospital bed. Every single bone throbbing with excruciating pain, every single limb felt like they were shredded into tiny pieces. I opened my eyes, trying to look for a familiar face for comfort but could not find any. I was alone. All alone with no idea if I was missing any body parts or they still function like those of a normal, healthy person.

Everything was a blur – memory and sight.

Then I drifted back to sleep. Worry nesting deep at the pit of my stomach.

I was driving back from work, taking the same route I always do. The traffic was not as smooth as I wished it were but that’s just the way it is. I stopped to give way to a cab with the right indicator turned on at a T-junction.

As the cab driver swerved his car to the right, a lady on a motorbike sped through in front of it. There it was - the stunned cab driver, the shocked and annoyed-looking lady, thrown off her bike and a part of the bike, underneath the cab.

All I could say was ‘Oh my God!’Repeatedly.

Fortunately, the lady escaped unscathed while a Good Samaritan helped to pull her bike from underneath the cab. Both the cab driver and the lady moved their respective vehicles to the roadside so not to block the traffic.

I drove off, slightly trembling from shock. The poor lady might have suffered a different fate. She could be badly hurt or worse, she could be dead.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the incident. The questions of 'what if' lingered and tasted bitter at the back of my throat.

If only I didn’t let the cab pass in front of me.If only I acted fast enough and honk the cab driver, he would have stopped and avoid the bike.

You see, the first story was actually my dream. The second one was a real incident.

The reason why I am noting all this down is because of the fact that this is not the first time. It’s not the first time I am getting hints, signs, leads, whatever you want to call it, to a real life scenario.

The first was when my grandfather passed away.

I was warded at the hospital for a minor procedure and dreamt that my grandfather who was then in the hospital, left us all. The next day, my mom called me and conveyed the disheartening news.

The second time it happened was when I had a dream about death. How it’s coming to claim my life and how unready I was to meet my creator. The following day, my sister called and informed that my closest cousin died of breast cancer.

So today when I woke up, the first thing I did was texted Deli (who’s away on overseas business trip) to check if he’s okay. He didn’t promptly answer my message, probably still sleeping, judging by the 5 hours time difference.

I was extremely careful on the road – chauffeuring the kids to school and making my way to the office. Thank God, nothing bad happened.

I made sure I crossed the road where there’s pedestrian crossing. When the traffic light refused to work during lunch, I stayed close to E for extra protection while crossing the road. I’m pretty sure Malaysians are more attentive to foreigners compared to locals.

Little did I know that it’s not about me. The mystery of life continues to amaze me.

I don’t know if I’d ever feel comfortable having this sort of dreams again. Maybe yes, maybe no. I seriously have no idea.